This morning I bought a cup of tea for Lionel, a guy on disability who spends his days hanging around the intersection outside my office. Lionel is a decent guy, he cannot speak after a stroke, I believe, but he is clean, polite, unassuming, and has never asked anyone for anything.

He just does not want to sit alone in a room all day, and who could blame him.

But as I left the coffee shop, another denizen of the city streets who saw my gesture accosted me for a handout and was not happy when he was rebuffed. It reminded of this piece, which is at least a year old, based on a similar kind of street rat.

THE PANHANDLER

Scabrous, gelded man,offering what he cannot deliver,begs indulgenceshe does not deserve.

Rust hair, rheumy eyes,breath that could peel paint,he accosts and accuses,reviles and abuses,the personal spaceof those waiting in line.